With the NCAA lifting its two-game all-star game limit for graduating seniors in 2014, the state’s best boys basketball players participated in a myriad of all-star games across the country. We take a quick look at how the state’s elite fared and at the honors some of the top players received by GrassrootsHoops.net.
*Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball Ivan Rabb of Oakland Bishop O Dowd was a first five All-American by our sister site GrassrootsHoops.net. He finished No. 4 in the final Mr. Basketball USA Tracker behind eventual national player of the year Ben Simmons of Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), wing Jaylen Brown of Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) and power forward Cheick Diallo of Our Savior New American (Centerreach, N.Y.).
*Center DeAndre Ayton, the No. 1 ranked prospect in the 2017 class by Cal-Hi Sports, was named a second five Grassroots Hoops All-American. Because he does not play for a CIF-sanctioned high school program (Balboa City School of San Diego), he is not eligible for the Cal-Hi Sports All-State team. He would have easily been a first team selection. Cody Riley, named the Cal-Hi Sports Sophomore Player of the Year, joined Ayton on the Grassroots Hoops Underclass All-American team.
*State Junior of the Year Lonzo Ball was named a third five All-American. He was the second highest-rated junior on the board behind National Junior of the Year Harry Giles III of Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.). Ball also joined Division II State Player of the Year T.J. Leaf on the Grassroots Hoops Underclass All-American team. Junior Josh Jackson, who played his junior season at Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), was ineligible for post-season honors because Prolific Prep is an after-school basketball academy where the players on the team attend different schools during the day.
*Division IV State Player of the Year Tyler Dorsey of Maranatha of Pasadena was named a fourth five All-American.
*Guard Stephen Thompson Jr. of Bishop Montgomery of Torrance was the only Californian to make the 30-player Grassroots Hoops All-American second team.
*Cal-Hi Sports State Freshman of the Year Jordan Brown of Woodcreek of Roseville was joined by forward Riley Battin of Oak Park on the 10-man freshman All-American team.
Below is a quick statistical rundown of how California players fared in the major national high school all-star games:
Ballislife All-American Game (Long Beach, Calif.)
Paris Austin, Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 5-11 G: 1-2 FG, 4 points.
Bennie Boatwright, Village Christian (Sun Valley) 6-9 F: 2-4 FG, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 points.
Marquese Chriss, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 6-9 F: 6-9 FG, 12 points.
Chance Comanche, (Beverly Hills) 6-10 C: 2-3 FG, 5 points.
Tyler Dorsey, Maranatha (Pasadena) 6-5 G: 3-9 FG, 5 rebounds, 10 points.
Jeremy Hemsley, Damien (La Verne) 6-3 G: 4-4 FG, 8 points.
Chimezie Metu, Leuzinger (Lawndale) 6-9 F: 3-4 FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 points.
Rex Pflueger, Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 6-4 G: 2-5 FG, 4 points.
Justin Simon, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) via Temecula Valley 6-3 G: 4-8, FG, 6 assists, 9 points.
Kendall Small, Mayfair (Lakewood) 6-0 G: 2-7 FG, 2 steals, 7 points.
Stevie Thompson Jr., Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 6-3 G: 2-8 FG, 4 points.
Capital Classic (Washington, D.C.)
Rex Pflueger, Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 6-4 G: 4-10 FG (0-2 3-point), 6 rebounds, 5 steals, 14 points.
Derby Festival Classic (Louisville, Ky.)
Justin Simon, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) via Temecula Valley 6-3 G: 6-9 FG (1-2 3-point), 7 rebounds, 13 assists, 14 points.
Jordan Brand Classic (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Tyler Dorsey, Maranatha (Pasadena) 6-5 G: 7-11 FG (1-4 3 point), 15 points.
Ivan Rabb, Bishop O’ Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 6-10 C: 6-9 FG (1-1 3 point), 12 rebounds, 2 steals, 14 points.
McDonald’s All-American Game (Chicago, Ill.)
Ivan Rabb, Bishop O’ Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 6-10 C: 5-7 FG, 6 rebounds, 10 points.
Nike Hoop Summit (Portland, Ore.)
Ivan Rabb, Bishop O’ Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 6-10 C: 1-2 FG, 2 points.
